Finsbury Food Group, the UK cake maker, has thrived despite soaring commodity costs and growing concern among consumers over following a more balanced diet. Chief executive Dave Brooks told Dean Best about the reasons behind the success of the business and why he believes Finsbury is well-placed to grow despite an ever-more turbulent operating environment.

The IGD's annual convention attracts the leading executives from the UK FMCG sector and last week they heard the likes of Tesco, Sainsbury's, Unilever and Heinz discuss the economy, multichannel strategies, labelling and innovation. Elsewhere, Wal-Mart outlined its expansion plans for next year, Mars called on the chocolate sector to co-operate more on sustainable cocoa (which it said would cost billions) and Kellogg revealed the possible financial impact of its latest recall.

This week, the chief executives of Tesco, Sainsbury's and Marks and Spencer, convened in London for the IGD's annual convention where the likes of Philip Clarke, Justin King and Marc Bolland discussed the key issues facing the industry. Elsewhere, William Jackson Food Group expressed its delight at securing ownership of Abel & Cole, German food company Zertus bought confectioner Zetar, while Paramount Foods went into the hands of administrators.

Anxiety grew this week that unusual weather in the US, UK and elsewhere could push up commodity prices. The row over milk prices in the UK continued, with farmers blockading retail and processor sites as anger remained over price cuts. And Metro Group, the German retail giant, announced cuts of its own, with 900 jobs to be lost as it looks to lower costs.

While the row over UK farmgate milk prices rumbled on this week, elsewhere first-half results hit the just-food news desk. Safeway sounded an upbeat note on the performance of its loyalty programme and the group's dominance in retail personalisation for consumers. Elsewhere, just-food spoke with Mizkan EuroAmericas president Craig Smith who spoke about the firm's plansfor the business long-term.

Arla Foods revealed 250 jobs could be cut as it drives efficiency and tries to keep pace with its international competitors - and admitted more could be made. The race to buy frozen food giant Iglo Group also continued to make the headlines and this week Thai food manufacturer CP Foods was linked to the business. Meanwhile, in the US, Kellogg "refreshed" its 106-year-old namesake brand, although industry watchers suggested the cereal maker might have to do more to drive sales.

The UK government this week launched a series of measures, drawn up with industry, to drive the food sector's growth overseas. The so-called export action plan came in the week that food and drink giant Princes announced a venture in Italy and UK confectioner Zetar opened its first sales office in Europe. Zetar's CEO outlined the company's Continental sales target to just-food and, in a further interview with a top executive, Spar International MD Dr Gordon Campbell told us about the symbol retailer's expansion plans in India.

Carrefour again grabbed the headlines this week, with speculation intensifying that there could be change of leadership at the company. just-food understands an announcement is due in days. Elsewhere in retail, Asda outlined its expansion plans in the UK and we spoke to the CEO of Spar International about the symbol group's ambitions in India. Meanwhile, Premier Foods admitted more jobs could be lost at the company, we took a look at why US baker Hostess Brands filed for Chapter 11 and, in our latest Sustainability Watch, we discussed HJ Heinz's CSR strategy.

Wal-Mart Stores is still struggling in the US but it has found a bright spark in the positive comparable sales in its food division. Similarly, this week, Carrefour talked up its ability to turnaround the more sluggish aspects of its businessWal-Mart Stores is still struggling in the US but it has found a bright spark in the positive comparable sales in its food division. Similarly, Carrefour talked up its ability to turnaround the more sluggish aspects of its business this week.